Continental Currency (3 Dollars)

Issued under the authority of the Continental Congress, this example of paper currency from the American Revolution bears the image of an eagle attacking a crane with the Latin motto “EXITUS IN DUBIO EST” (The Outcome is in Doubt). With no authority to tax, the Continental Congress was unable to prevent deep depreciation of its paper currency, and coupled with the widespread circulation of British counterfeit bills, gave rise to the phrase “Not Worth a Continental.”

CurrencyPrinted by David Hall and William SellersPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1776Paper, InkMuseum of the American Revolution2003.00.0520